Gardaí in race to get lethal drug off the streets

Supt. Eddie MacEoin pictured holding a sample of the drug which gardaí believe may have been a factor in the deaths of both two men in Kinsale. Pic: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

GARDAÍ investigating the suspicious deaths of two young men in Kinsale at the weekend say their top priority is to get the lethal drug they believe was responsible off the streets as quickly as possible.

The drug, known as “Mandy” is a mixture of MDMA (the main ingredient in Ecstasy) and PMMA and is sold in a brown powdered form.

According to Supt, Eddie McEoin from Bandon Garda Station who is leading the investigation, gardaí believe the drug was sold to a number of people in Cork city at the weekend, including Michael Coleman from Dungarvan and Liam Coffey from Cappoquin who were found dead on the ground floor of a house in Abbey Lane, Kinsale in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Dozens of gardaí are now working on the case from West Cork, Cork city and national divisions.

Supt. McEoin said that the drug is relatively new to Ireland but there have been a number of deaths already associated with it on the continent.

He appealed to anyone who may have purchased the drug not to take it, as there was a real risk it could cause more fatalities.

The results of toxicology from the bodies of Michael Coleman and Liam Coffey are expected within a few days.

Anyone with any information should contact Bandon Garda station on 023 885 2200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or their local garda station.